TROUBLESHOOTING
Page 10 of 18
Problem
Cause
What To Do
1.
Engine fails to start.
No fuel in tank.
Fill tank.
Ignition switch off.
Fuel tank vent closed.
Turn ignition switch on.
Open fuel tank vent.
Fuel line or fuel tank screen clogged.
Clean fuel line and screen.
Flooded.
Hold throttle in fast position and crank engine or close
carburetor main adjustment needle and crank until
engine starts. Then turn needle to 1 turn open.
Spark plug shorted or fouled.
Install new spark plug.
Spark plug broken (cracked porcelain or
electrodes broken).
Replace spark plug.
Ignition lead wire shorted, broken or discon‐
nected from spark plug.
Replace lead wire or attach to spark plug.
Ignition inoperative (no spark from lead wire.
Contact factory or your nearest authorized dealer.
2.
Engine hard to start.
Water in gasoline or stale fuel mixture.
Drain entire fuel system and refill with fresh fuel.
Too much oil in fuel mixture.
Drain and refill with correct mixture.
Engine over or under choked.
If flooded by over choking, proceed according to
instructions in previous section. If under choked,
move choke lever to closed position and crank 2 or 3
times.
Carburetor out of adjustment.
See ``Operating Instructions'' under ``Carburetor Ad‐
justment.''
Gasket leaks (carburetor or reed plate gas‐
kets).
Replace gaskets.
Weak spark at lead wire.
Contact the factory or your nearest authorized dealer.
3.
Engine misses.
Dirt in fuel line or carburetor.
Remove and clean.
4.
Engine misses.
Carburetor improperly adjusted.
See ``Operating Instructions'' under ``Carburetor Ad‐
justment.''
Spark plug fouled, broken or incorrect gap
setting.
Clean and replace spark plug; set gap at .030.
Weak or intermittent spark at lead wire.
Contact the factory or your nearest authorized dealer.
5.
Engine lacks power.
Air cleaner clogged.
Clean air cleaner.
Carburetor out of adjustment.
See ``Operating Instructions'' under ``Carburetor Ad‐
justment.''
Muffler clogged.
Clean carbon from muffler.
Clogged exhaust ports.
Remove muffler, rotate engine until the piston is at
bottom of cylinder. With a wooden scraper or blunt
tool, remove all carbon from exhaust ports. Be careful
not to scratch or damage piston or cylinder walls.
Blow any loose carbon with compressed air. Start
engine and run briefly to remove all carbon, then
install muffler.
Poor compression.
Contact the factory or your nearest authorized dealer.
6.
Engine overheats.
Insufficient oil in fuel mixture.
Mix fuel as shown in starting instructions.
Air flow obstructed.
Clean flywheel, cylinder fins and screen.
7.
Engine noisy or
knocking.
Loose flywheel.
Tighten flywheel nut.
Spark plug is incorrect heat range.
Replace plug specified for engine.
Worn bearings, piston rings or cylinder walls. Contact the factory or your nearest authorized dealer.
Bent fan housing.
Remove fan housing and straighten bent portion.
8.
Engine stalls under
load.
Carburetor main adjustment too lean.
See ``Operating Instructions'' under ``Carburetor Ad‐
justment.''
Engine overheats.
See number 5.
